Orca (company)

Orca is a New Zealand company that makes wetsuits and sports apparel, primarily for triathletes.

Orca
TypePrivate
IndustrySports Apparel
Founded1994
HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
Key people
Scott Unsworth, Founder, CEO
ProductsWetsuits, Triathlon apparel, Cycling gear, General sports apparel
Number of employees
25 staff
Websiteorca.com

History

The company was founded in Auckland in 1994 by Scott Unsworth,[1] a former New Zealand age group triathlon champion. He decided to start manufacturing wetsuits after discovering that traditional wetsuits were not suitable for swimming. In Unsworth founded a company called Performance Speedsuits Ltd.,[2] also in Auckland, that manufactured swimming-friendly speed suits, and these speed suits gained much popularity. It was eventually renamed "Orca".

In 2008 the company agreed a global distribution deal with Spanish cycling giant Orbea.[3]

Products

Orca specialises in high range wetsuits, with most wetsuits starting at around $250 up to $700[4] with many of its products available worldwide. The company is recognised as a leader in introducing new technologies into triathlon. The Orca Apex 2 wetsuit uses AirLite - a world first neoprene technology. There are tiny air pockets trapped in the neoprene to provide increased buoyancy. The Orca 3.8 was the first wetsuit to feature an AirRelease panel. This is the world's first breathable neoprene, allowing heat and moisture to be transferred away from the wearer, while remaining water resistant. Orca has been recognised by New Zealand government and other industry groups such as Better by Design, for its design led innovation. Orca's reputation for innovation is reflected in its two top-end models, although the all-purpose Sonar remains Orca's best selling triathlon wetsuit.

Sponsorships

Orca sponsors a number of leading triathletes, including 2x 70.3 World Champion Sebastian Kienle, fastest cyclist in Ironman Andrew Starykowicz, recently retired Olympic champion Hamish Carter, ITU athletes including Kris Gemmell, Courtney Atkinson, Tim Don and Debbie Tanner, and Ironman competitors including Craig Alexander and Cameron Brown. Orca also sponsors a number of national bodies including Triathlon New Zealand, Bike NZ, and the British Triathlon Federation.

In 2004 Orca was the official apparel supplier to the New Zealand Olympic team.

Notes
  1. "Our Story". www.orca.com. 4 July 2010.
  2. "Our Story". www.orca.com. 4 July 2010.
  3. "The Triathlete Magazine blog: Orca Signs Global Distribution Partnership with Orbea for 2008". www.triathletemag.blogspot.com. 24 April 2008.
  4. "Triathlon Wetsuits". www.orca.com. 4 July 2010.
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